The Black Angels Fitzgerald's, May 24
Austin's Black Angels, with a band name pulled straight from the Velvet Underground's catalog, and a high-contrast image of Nico splayed across their logo, are unapologetic in their admiration of the prophetic NYC rock band. The Angels, though, have carved out a sound quite their own, which they've dubbed "Native American Drone-N-Roll."
Using an excess of throbbing bass, droney reverb, and spacey, hypnotic undertones, they've not only earned critical acclaim, but also hopped on tour with the Black Keys, Queens of the Stone Age and Wolfmother, just to name-drop a few fans. ANGELICA LEICHT
Soundgarden Bayou Music Center, May 24
Soundgarden has aged remarkably well. For a band that took a long nap between 1996's Down On the Upside and last year's King Animal, the reunited Seattle crew has bridged those 15-plus years with remarkable continuity.
King Animal is very much the same Soundgarden of grunge touchstones Louder Than Love and Badmotorfinger, with guitarist Thayil's psych-dusted leads welded to a Sabbath-esque grind while bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron man the hammer and tongs. Singer Chris Cornell, meanwhile, can still open up his throat and shred his vocal chords better than your average banshee, and makes a most distinguished rock heartthrob in his late forties. CHRIS GRAY
Little River Band Dosey Doe (Big Barn), May 24
With four freakin' decades of mid-tempo Australian rock to their name, Little River Band may be one of the most significant Aussie bands to cross over to the U.S. charts. Led by vocal mastermind Glenn Shorrock, they've been dubbed Down Under's first real breakthrough act in the American market, and by hocking their bicoastal brand of adult-contemporary music -- with its catchy hooks, velvety harmonies, and a bit of understated guitar -- they've also been recognized as having one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time, a little ditty called "Cool Change." ANGELICA LEICHT